Best Online Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
You don’t need a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to become a registered nurse (RN). However, many RNs choose to advance their careers by earning a BSN after gaining some entry-level experience. The best online RN programs, also known as RN-to-BSN programs, make it easy, efficient, and affordable to earn the BSN degree that can unlock advancement opportunities.
Explore key features of online RN-to-BSN programs, research costs, and explore the healthcare career paths you can pursue with your new degree.
Degree at a Glance
- Typical Program Length: 1-4 years, depending on your experience and educational background.
- Typical Admission Requirements: RN license; Some programs have associate degree requirements and GPA minimums for nursing coursework.
- Top Skills Gained: Clinical nursing, health policy comprehension, leadership skills, cultural competencies, professional ethics.
- Popular Concentrations: Not typically available in RN-to-BSN programs; electives offer personalization pathways.
Best Online RN Programs
University of Florida-Online
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
UF Online's RN-to-BSN program was purpose-built for working nurses seeking to take the next step in their careers. This uniquely structured program includes 100% online theoretical coursework that also reduces barriers and cuts costs by using cutting-edge simulation technologies to facilitate remote clinical training.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $1,938
Out-of-State | $8,289
Credits to Graduate: 120
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Leads to Licensure: Yes
Why Students Choose UF Online:
- Innovative Clinical Components: You can complete half of your required 90 hours of clinical training through virtual simulations.
- Diverse Career Access: The program supports specializations in intensive care, obstetric, gynecological, hospital, surgical, pediatric, and home care nursing, among others.
- Maximum Flexibility: Asynchronous course delivery empowers you to study in the evening, on weekends, or at any other convenient time.Â
Know Before You Enroll:
- In-Person Requirements: You must complete 45 hours of independent clinical experience in your fourth semester.
- RN License Needed: You must have an active, unencumbered RN license from Florida or a participating member state of the Nurse Licensure Compact to enroll. Â
- Transfer Considerations: You need an associate degree and a 2.8 GPA in your nursing coursework to join as an upper-division transfer student.
N/A
$ 3,358
94%
$15,000
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,462
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
UCF's online RN-to-BSN program offers a compact and accelerated yet flexible path to a bachelor of science in nursing. The program focuses on career advancement, training established nurses for leadership roles while building strong foundations for future study. You can also earn up to nine credits toward a graduate nursing degree.Â
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $1,051
Out-of-State | $1,051
Credits to Graduate: 30
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Leads to Licensure: Yes
Why Students Choose UCF:
- Graduate Quickly: You can complete this program in as few as three semesters.
- Multiple Start Dates: UCF offers fall, spring, and summer program launch dates.
- Savings Opportunities: As an online UCF student, you can use the school's fee waiver policy to further reduce your costs.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Complex Admission Requirements: You need an RN license plus an associate degree from a Florida public college or a bachelor's degree from an accredited school to qualify.
- Scientific Emphasis: UCF strongly emphasizes medical treatments of nursing science, and the curriculum requires excellent working knowledge of technical and scientific nursing concepts.
9%
$ 6,368
92%
$22,467
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Students Enrolled
- 69,338
- Institution Type
- Public
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
Ohio State's online RN-to-BSN program uses a 100% online, asynchronous delivery model to make your educational upgrade as accessible as possible. The program's coursework supplements a strong clinical nursing core with classes that develop cultural competencies and leadership skills. You can also choose from 18 elective offerings, creating pathways to self-designed specializations.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $7,472
Out-of-State | $7,672
Credits to Graduate: 30
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Leads to Licensure: Yes
Why Students Choose Ohio State:
- Barrier-Free Entry: The school recently removed its previous prerequisite course requirements in favor of a direct-entry model.
- Build a Network: Ohio State emphasizes collaborative projects, helping you connect more readily with classmates.
- Authorized Everywhere: Ohio State is authorized to deliver this program to students living anywhere in the United States.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Admission Considerations: You need both an active RN license and a specially accredited associate degree in nursing to qualify for entry.
- Processing Times: Ohio State accepts applications on a rolling basis, but it may take up to one month for you to receive your decision.
63%
$12,545
94%
$41,327
- Acceptance Rate
- 61%
- Students Enrolled
- 61,443
- Institution Type
- Public
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
FIU Online's RN-to-BSN program features a compact and efficient path to graduation, with advanced-standing placements available to RNs who display required clinical competencies. The fully online curriculum offers excellent flexibility, combining clinical topics with multiple opportunities to pursue your individual interests through targeted electives and independent study.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $2,591
Out-of-State | $7,138
Credits to Graduate: 33-60
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Leads to Licensure: Yes
Why Students Choose FIU:
- Graduate Quickly: Full-time students can graduate in as little as one year.
- Qualify for Advanced Degrees: FIU specifically designed the program to support seamless entry to nursing programs at the master's and doctoral levels.
- Pathways to Time Savings: You can earn up to 27 credits toward your degree requirements by passing clinical proficiency evaluations.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Spring Starts Only: The program uses a cohort model and begins annually in the spring semester.
- Transfer Credits Required: You must have at least 60 transferable lower-division credits from an ACEN-accredited associate degree program in nursing.
- GPA Considerations: You need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 and at least a "C" grade in all prerequisite courses to satisfy admission requirements.
66%
$ 6,168
93%
$18,566
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,817
- Institution Type
- Public
Texas A & M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:Â
TAMIU's online RN-to-BSN program combines clinical nursing skills development with professional practice essentials covering quality of care, ethics and compliance, change leadership, and conflict resolution. The program engages both didactic and clinical instructional modes, creating clear and strong links between nursing theory and practice.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $2,998
Out-of-State | $2,998
Credits to Graduate: 32-120
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Leads to Licensure: Yes
Why Students Choose TAMIU:
- Pay per Course: TAMIU uses a flexible billing model that allows you to stretch your budget by paying for one course at a time.
- Quick Program Starts: You will not have to wait long to start your program, as TAMIU supports six start dates throughout the year.
- Collaborative Community Focus: Students liaise with community groups as they learn to evaluate available healthcare resources and unmet needs.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Variable Program Length: The curriculum requires 53 general education credits, which you must complete at TAMIU if you do not have eligible coursework to transfer.
- Admission Restrictions: You must hold a Texas RN license and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 in your qualifying coursework.
65%
$ 3,818
74%
$13,634
- Acceptance Rate
- 46%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,536
- Institution Type
- Public
Price Check
In 2023, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that nearly 70% of employers strongly prefer a BSN when hiring nurses.
Why Choose An Online RN Program
A BSN degree can help you be more competitive in the job market and increase your professional outcomes. According to a June 2024 AACN fact sheet, about 72% of RNs working in the United States hold at least a BSN degree. The AACN also found that hospitals with more BSN-educated RNs on staff post significantly better patient outcomes.
Hiring trends also indicate that employers prefer RNs with BSN degrees. In 2023, the AACN reported that 95% of BSN graduates had a nursing job within 4-6 months of graduation.
Career Outlook for RN Graduates
The best online RN programs can help you advance your nursing career by entering into leadership roles and various nursing and healthcare specializations.
| Job | Annual Average Salary, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Nursing Manager | $100,970 |
| Oncology Nurse | $85,940 |
| Neonatal ICU Nurse | $85,282 |
| Psychiatric Nurse | $80,810 |
| Public Health Nurse | $74,430 |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensing and Certification Requirements
RN licensing requirements vary by state, but they generally include:
- A diploma or nursing degree from a state-approved program
- Passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses
- Criminal background check
Ensure that any online RN program you consider is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and that the school is authorized to educate nursing candidates in the state where you live. For state-specific licensing information, connect with your state’s nursing board through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Ways to Save on an RN Degree
While an RN degree typically offers a high return on investment, it’s important to consider all cost-saving opportunities. It’s important to explore nursing student resources and additional ways to save money on your education.
Seek Nursing Scholarships: Nursing scholarships directly reduce your education costs, improving the returns you can earn on your educational investment.- Enter an Accelerated Program: Accelerated online nursing programs leverage your existing education and experience to move you quickly through your degree and potentially save you money.
- See If Your Employer Will Help: If you already hold an RN license, your employer might help you pay for an advanced degree through educational assistance or a tuition reimbursement program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online RN Programs
It usually takes 2-4 years to earn your RN license. You can become an RN faster by qualifying with an associate degree, but a bachelor’s degree may enhance your long-term career prospects and pay.
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